About

I was born in Yangon, Burma in 1986 under a military dictatorship. As a child, I was quiet and had strong interests in art and spirituality. When I was around six years old, I had a dream in which a giant golden Buddha along with diamonds, rubies, and jades came down from the sky. The Buddha spoke one word to me: "meditate." I woke up with my eyes wide open with a thirst to meditate. So I asked my mom to teach me how to go within before she can put a bowel of Burmese fish soup called "mohinga." Around the same time, my parents got me a watercolor set so I started painting a little bit here and there -- mostly of boyish interests like a soccer ball and Power Ranger action figures. 

 

In 1997, my family and I were afforded an opportunity to relocate to California. We arrived in San Jose, CA with about 4 bags. Due to differences in cultural norms, language, etc., I was bullied throughout my K to 12 experience. So I kept my head down and made a lot of art while exploring Buddhism, New Age spirituality, and pop psychology. 

 

I eventually went onto graduating from San Jose State University with a BA in Pictorial Arts (graduating in top of my class with a Cum Laude honor) and moved to San Francisco for a few years in search of a gallery to showcase my art.